Destin captains cited for snapper, cobia violations

The most recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report states that Destin was the site of a few incidents in the last two weeks. The full report follows:

Officer Matt Webb conducted a fishery inspection on a vessel in Destin Harbor.  The inspection revealed a bag limit violation of red snapper.  The vessel captain was cited for the violation. 

Officer Steve Bartlett responded to the Bluewater Bay Marina to investigate a vessel fire.  A preliminary investigation determined the vessel had exploded while an occupant onboard connected battery terminals to a battery.  The explosion caused first degree burns to another occupant who was transported to a burn unit in Mobile, Alabama.  The boating accident investigation is ongoing. 

Officer Pete Rockwell completed a boating accident investigation and issued the operator a citation for careless operation.  The operator sustained internal injuries when his personal watercraft collided with Tom’s Bayou Bridge in Valparaiso. 

Officer Ryan Nelson conducted a fishery inspection in Destin Harbor revealing an undersize cobia.  The vessel captain was cited for the violation. 

Lieutenants Mark Hollinhead and Dennis Welsh and Officer Van Barrow responded to a boating accident in Destin Harbor.  A vessel underway collided with a vessel that was on a lift at a dock.  The damage was minor and no one was injured.